FAQ

A prize money total of $806,000 is awarded in equal amounts to men and women as follows:

Top 15 men and women ($150,000 for first place to $1,500 for 15th place, for a total of $353,000 each for men and women).

Top 5 men and women in the 40-and-over division ($10,000 for first place to $1,000 for 5th place, for a total of $20,000 each for men and women).

Top 10 men and women in the wheelchair division ($15,000 for first place to $500 for 10th place, for a total of $30,000 each for men and women).

Stop for assistance and direction at one of the 26 Red Cross aid stations along the course. Sweep buses pick up runners at every Red Cross station with drop-off at the finish area medical tent. Aid stations along the course close at staggered times during the day. Finish area facilities officially close six hours after the last runner crosses the start line in Hopkinton. (About 4:50 p.m.)

All runners who finish by 4:45 p.m. will receive a medal after crossing the finish line.

Awards are presented to the top 10 men and women overall, and the top three men and women in the 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80+ division.

They are also presented to the top five men and women in the push rim wheelchair division, the first man and woman in the wheelchair quad-class division and the top three men and women in the visually impaired division.

Team awards are presented to the members of the first men’s and women’s open team and first men’s and women’s 40-and-over team.

2012: 79 degrees F at the start, 85 degrees F at the finish, W/SW wind 5 mph; clear

2011: 46 degrees F at the start, 55 degrees F at the finish, W/SW wind 16 mph; clear

2010: 49 degrees F at the start; 55 degrees F at the finish; E/NE wind 5 mph; partly cloudy

2009: 51 degrees F at the start; 47 degrees F at the finish; E/NE winds 9-16 mph; partly cloudy

2008: 53 degrees F at the start; 53 degrees F at the finish; E/NE winds 2 mph; clear

2007: 47 degrees F at the start; 50 degrees F at the finish; E/ESE winds at 20-30 mph; overcast, rain

2006: 55 degrees F at the start; 53 degrees F at the finish; calm & clear

All times are tenative.

Mobility Impaired Division start time: 9:00 a.m.

Wheelchair Division start time: 9:17 a.m.

Handcycle Participant start time: 9:22 a.m.

Elite Women's start time: 9:32 a.m.

Elite Men's and Wave 1 start time: 10:00 a.m.

Wave 2 start time: 10:20 a.m.

Wave 3 start time: 10:40 a.m.

While it is popular belief that in 1887 the B.A.A. founders chose the Unicorn as the organization’s symbol due to its place in mythology (Chinese and other mythologies regard the figure as an ideal and something to be pursued but which can never be caught), it is more likely that the Unicorn was borrowed from the coat of arms from one of the B.A.A.'s first families. Still, the now iconic Unicorn stands for striving for excellence.... even it can never be achieved.

No. For safety reasons, strollers, in-line skates, skateboards, and vehicles of any kind, as well as animals, are not permitted.

All prize money winners will be scored by gun time. All age group division awards will be awarded by net time.

Official Entrants receive:

• Admission to the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo
• Long sleeved t-shirt
• Bib number
• An official result from an electronically recorded official timing system
• Runner’s baggage / goodie bag
• Boston Marathon Official Program
• Complimentary ticket for the Pre-Race Pasta Dinner
• Complimentary transportation to the start
• Access to the Athletes’ Village in Hopkinton, providing entertainment, light refreshments, water, Gatorade, tenting and portable toilets
• Water and Gatorade Endurance Formula (lemon/lime flavor) along the course
• First aid / medical facilities along the course and at the finish area
• Athlete tracking
• A finisher’s medal upon finishing the marathon before 4:45 p.m.
• A mylar blanket
• Baggage and dressing area (no showers)
• Massage
• Family meeting area
• Admission to the Awards Ceremony
• Complimentary ticket for the Post-Race Party
• Results postcard providing all 5Km split information, official and net times
• Finisher’s certificate (mailed during the summer)
• Results book (mailed over the summer)

No. For the 2014 Boston Marathon, we will no longer accept applications with times that are within 59 seconds of the listed qualifying times, (e.g., 3:05:59).